Biology Courses

BIOL 101: Environmental Biology

Offered: Fall and Spring

Students will learn about human impacts on the environment, and the impacts environmental modifications have on humans. This course will focus on the major issues of contemporary environmental science. The laboratory portion of the course will focus on the nature of science as a method of inquiry as it is applied to environmental science. Three hours lecture and two hours lab per week. This course fulfills the life science requirements for majors other that Biology, Biology Education 8-12 and Physical Education P-12 majors.

4 credit hours

BIOL 111: Principles of Biology

Prerequisite: Subscore of 21 on Science ACT or successful completion of CHEM 101 with a grade of “C” or better

Offered: Fall and Spring

A study of the basic principles of living matter with emphasis on the cellular level. Topics of study include: the composition and properties of living matter; the cell as the structural and functional unit of life; transport systems; genetic mechanisms; energy requirements and dynamics; the concept of organism; and the diversity of living things. This course is for Biology, Biological Education 8-12, and Physical Education P-12 majors. Three lecture hours.

4 credit hours

BIOL 205: Botany

Prerequisite: Successful completion of BIOL 111 plus either CHEM 101 or CHEM 115 with a grade of “C” or better

Offered: Fall and Spring, as needed

A study of plants as organisms. Topics of study include a survey of the plant kingdom, representative life cycles, and taxonomy; energy transformations, cellular respiration and photosynthesis; structure and function with emphasis on the vascular plants; economic and ecologic important of plants. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours.

4 credit hours

BIOL 206: Zoology

Prerequisite: BIOL 111 or permission of the instructor

Offered: Fall

A study of animals as organisms. Topics will include a brief survey of the animal kingdom with representative life cycles and classification; the concept of species; a systematic approach to the study of structure and function with emphasis on the invertebrates. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours.

4 credit hours

BIOL 207: Medical Terminology

Prerequisite: Successful completion of BIOL 111 with a grade of “C” or better or permission of the instructor

Offered: As needed

The purpose of this course is to teach students to recognize the basic design and meaning of word-composition elements of medical and scientific terminology. Topics will start from the Latin and Greek alphabets, and will continue through the basic Latin and Greek word roots through medical terms and vocabulary of the organ systems of the human body. This course is offered for science majors, especially those interested in allied health and related fields of study.

3 credit hours

BIOL 211-212: Human Anatomy and Physiology I-II

Prerequisite: BIOL 211 requires the successful completion of BIOL 111 with a grade of “C” or better or permission of the instructor. BIOL 212 has a prerequisite of successful completion of BIOL 111 with a grade of “C” or better.

Offered: BIOL 211 – Fall; BIOL 212 – Spring

A study of normal structure and function of the human body as a basis for understanding of the disease process. The course includes an integrated study of the major body systems. The course is designed to meet the needs of students in pre-nursing, physical therapy, art, and physical education as well as an option for biology majors. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours.

Each course is 4 credit hours.

BIOL 305: Genetics

An introduction to the basic principles of heredity and variation in plants and animals, including classical, molecular, biochemical, and population genetics. The physical and chemical bases for heredity are stressed and applications of genetics to problems of medicine, agriculture, and evolution are examined. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours.

4 credit hours

BIOL 306: Microbiology

Prerequisite: BIOL 205 or 206; CHEM 225 is recommended

Offered: As needed

A study of the morphology, physiology, taxonomy, and ecology of microbes, fungi, and viruses, but with emphasis on the bacteria. Growth curves, principles and methods in immunology, and the role of microbes in medicine, industry, and agriculture will be considered. Laboratory methods of cultivation, examination, and identification of microbes, sterile technique, and media preparation will be included. Three lecture hours and two laboratory periods.

4 credit hours

BIOL 314: Cell/Molecular Biology

Prerequisites: Successful completion of BIOL 111 and CHEM 115 with a grade of “C” or better in each class

Offered: Fall, even years

Cell/Molecular biology covers general biology of the cell and the macromolecules Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), Ribonucleic acid (RNA) and the proteins. The course deals with the cell as the basic functional unit of life, cellular processes at the molecular level and molecular biology techniques.

4 credit hours

BIOL 315: Advanced Physiology

Prerequisites: Successful completion of BIOL 206, 212, and CHEM 116 with a grade of “C” or higher in each class

Offered: Fall, odd years

An analysis of the structural and functional relationship of the vertebrate body at the cellular, tissue, organ, and system level, and their relationship to the maintenance, regulation, and perpetuation of the organism. Mammalian physiology will be emphasized.

4 credit hours

BIOL 326: Immunology

Prerequisite: BIOL 212. CHEM 226, or permission of instructor

Offered: As needed

A study of the components and protective mechanisms of the immune system. Lecture only.

3 credit hours

BIOL 330: Biochemistry (also Chem 330)

Prerequisite: BIOL 111, 205, 206, and CHEM 226

Offered: Fall

The chemistry of amino acids, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids is examined. Also included is a survey of cellular metabolic pathways and methods of energy production. Emphasis is placed on those pathways common to all life. Three lecture hours and a recitation per week.

4 credit hours

BIOL 413: Ecology

Students will learn about the factors that control the distribution and abundance of populations. The focus will be on how organisms adapt to the environment. The laboratory will focus on field based analyses of diversity in local communities. Three lecture hours and a lab per week. This course is the capstone for the Biology Major. This course also provides a field experience for Biology and Biology Education majors.

4 credit hours

BIOL 421: Biology Research

Prerequisite: Permission of and prior arrangement with instructor

Offered: As needed

The research will consist of a field, laboratory, or library research project on a topic of mutual interest to the student and instructor. A written report and an oral presentation of the results and conclusions will be required. The research may be continued a second semester for an additional 2 credits.

1-2 credit hours

BIOL 422: Biological Literature

Prerequisite: Permission of and prior arrangement with instructor

Offered: As needed

A survey of the biological literature in a field of study agreed upon by the student and the instructor. The course includes selected reading, both classical and current, and provides training in the methods, access, and use of scientific literature, the planning and conduct of research, and report writing.

1-2 credit hours

BIOL 451: Vertebrate Histology

Prerequisites: Successful completion of BIOL 111, 211, 212, and CHEM 116, each with a grade of “C” or higher

Offered: Fall, alternate years, or as needed

An elective laboratory course to be offered on an occasional basis depending on the interests of the students and availability of the faculty. This course is specifically an analysis of the structural and functional relationship of the vertebrate body at the cellular, tissue, organ levels and their relationships to the maintenance, regulation, and perpetuation of the organism. Histology of mammalian tissues will be emphasized. Three lecture hours and two hours laboratory.

4 credit hours

BIOL 460-479: Special Topics in Biology

Prerequisites: Junior standing and permission of instructor

Offered: As needed

Elective courses may be offered as special topics in the biological sciences on an occasional basis depending on the availability and interests of students and faculty.

1-4 credit hours

BIOL 468: Essential Concepts in Biology

Offered: Fall/Spring, as needed

This course serves as both an assessment of the ALC Biology Program and as a subject matter review for graduating ALC biology majors. The fundamental aspects of the five required biology major courses (Biol 111, 205, 206, 305, and 413) are reviewed. It is designed to measure the basic knowledge and understanding achieved by ALC students in biology. The test results will enable the Science/Math Division to better assess and refine its curriculum and to gauge the progress of students in comparison to similar programs at schools throughout the country. Students will be required to complete a series of review examinations and culminate with administration of the current Educational Testing Service Major Field Test in Biology. The subject matter is organized into four major areas: cell biology; molecular biology and genetics; organismal biology; and population biology, evolution, and ecology. Some of the questions within each of the major areas are designed to test examinees’ analytical skills. A course fee of $15.00 is charged. This course meets once each week.